Ski binding



April 1, 19 21., H. HVAM sxx BINDING Filed May as, 19 9 Patented Apr. 1, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE sm nmnme Hjalmar Hvam, Portland, Oreg.

Application May 23, 1939. Serial No. 275,161

40laims.

This invention relates to ski bindings, particularly designed to afford a high degree of safety to the skier and reduce the liability of leg fractures due to fixed attachment of the skiers feet to the skis.

Further objects of this invention will be apparent in the following discourse.

In thedrawing:

Figure 1 represents a side view of a fragmentary length of ski fitted with a device embodying this invention, as applied to the foot of a skier.-

Figure 2 represents a view of a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 represents a view of a fragmentary section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 represents a longitudinal vertical section of the device taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 represents a view of a transverse vertical fragmentary section taken on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 represents a view of a transverse vertical section taken on the line 6--6 of Figure 4.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing:

A ski l fitted with the usual elastic retainer 2 is further equipped with the device embodying this invention.

A socket 3 rigidly attached to the ski i receives a vertically adjustable eye-bolt 4 to which is attached an oblique member 5 opposing forward displacement of a plate 6, in turn retained in proper position on the ski by the coaction with said member 5 of screws I and 8 and the retainer 2. In detail, the plate 6 is formed at the forward end with toe pieces 9 and I0 and the laterally disposed strap standards II and I2.

The screws 1 and 8 are formed with heads of the form indicated in Figure 2 adapted for rotation through 90 degrees to release, or slidably secure the rearward end of the plate 6 to the ski through engagement of the slots l3 and I4 therewith respectively.

It is to be especially observed that the plate 6 securely fixed on the shoe and foot of the skier is removable from the ski by certain forcible movements thereof in such directions, as would be the skiers foot in all normal skiing movements and feats. It is intended that no strains or stresses greater than those, which may be safely borne and transmitted through the leg of the user, may be communicated from the ski I to the plate 6 and hence to-the skiers leg.

To provide for the various magnitudes of the forces required to dislodge the plate 6 suitable for skiers of different strengths and weights, the eyebolt 4 is conveniently threaded, as indicated in the drawing, into the socket 3 and is held against rotation by the engagement of the member 5 against the plate 6. Vertical adjustment of. the eye-bolt 4 is easily accomplished by dislodging the plate 6 and using the member 5, as a wrench.

Since in a general sense, the member 5 constitutes the hypotenuse of a triangle whose other two sides coincide with the axis of the eye-bolt 4 and the upper surface of the ski, respectively, vertical adjustments of the eye-bolt 4 will result in variations of that vertical component holding the skiers toe to the ski with a given tension in the retainer 2. Thus, the plate 6 may be secured to the ski with any desired practical security.

In skiing mishaps involving torsional stresses of the skiers leg, the plate 6 will be urged in rotation about either of the screws 1 or 8 against the resistance offered thereto by the retainer 2.

The screws I3 and i 4 may be turned, so as to retain the plate 6 against vertical displacements, or not, as the confidence of the skier indicates.

I claim:

1. A ski-binding comprising a swivel piece adapted for attachment to a ski, a plate slidably attached to the ski and fitted with foot securing means, means for securing said plate against lateral displacement, an oblique member swingably likely to produce torsional or bending stresses in attached to the swivel piece and normally hearing against the forward end of said plate, and a retainer urging the skiers foot and said plate forwardly.

2. A ski-binding comprising a threaded socket adapted for attachment to a ski, an eye-bolt threaded into said socket, a plate longitudinally and swingably attached to the ski and formed with foot securing means, two laterally spaced means for securing said plate against lateral dis; placement, an obliquely disposed member swing ably attached to the eye-bolt and normally bearing against the forward end of the plate,: .-and a retainer urging the said assembly in longitudinal compression.

3. A ski-binding comprising a vertically adjustable and pivotal standard secured to the ski,

a plate formed with foot securing means, laterally spaced means securing the rearward portion of said plate against lateral displacement, a fiat member of substantially triangular form a side of which engages the forward end of said plate and an opposite vertex of which is formed with an eye permanently engaging said pivotal standard, and means to retain the said structure in compression.

4. A ski-binding comprising, a plate formed and fitted with foot-securing means, a compres- 10 fixture.

HJALMAR HVAM. 

